Dear N. Walker;
The signature is that of Colonel James A. Ekin.
His signature can be matched with his photo at this link:
http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p0409&CISOPTR=45&CISOBOX=1&REC=12
He would become a Brevet Brig. General.
http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/p0409&CISOPTR=31&REC=9
(signature of Ekin's at the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy Trial)
Ekin, James Adams b. August 31, 1819 d. March 27, 1891
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. A builder of ships and steamboats prior to the Civil War he entered service as 1st Lieutenant and regimental quartermaster of the 12th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He reached the rank of Colonel in the Quartermaster Department holding various posts including that of Chief Quartermaster of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac. He received the brevet of Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 8, 1865. On March 13, 1865 he was brevetted...[Read More] (Bio by: Steve Dunn)
Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA
Plot: National Cemetery, Section B, Row 3, Lot 1
Reference:
O.R.--SERIES III--VOLUME V [S# 126]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, REPORTS, AND RETURNS OF THE UNION AUTHORITIES FROM MAY 1, 1865, TO THE END.(*)--#10
MILITARY ORGANIZATION OF EMPLOYÉS OF THE QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT.
In the last annual report of this office I had the honor to report the services rendered in the field, as soldiers, at Nashville, at Johnsonville, and at Washington City, by the Quartermaster's Volunteers, a military organization under your sanction, of the clerks, agents, and operatives of the Quartermaster's Department at the principal depots. Since that report was written the Quartermaster's Volunteers at Nashville, under the command of Bvt. Brig. Gen. J. L. Donaldson, have again had the opportunity to render important service. Two brigades of these troops, 4,500 strong, were assigned a position in the operations of the 15th and 16th of December, 1864, the days of the decisive battle of Nashville, and so conducted themselves as to merit and receive the approval of their commanders.
[excerpt of a very lengthy quarter-master general report]
In closing this report I cannot but express to the Quartermaster-General my high appreciation of the uniform kindness and courtesy he has extended toward me in the discharge of my official duties, and I feel grateful to that Providence who chooses the bounds of our habitations for having assigned me, during the prevalence of the great slaveholders' rebellion, to a department of mammoth proportions and of great responsibility, under the guidance and direction of an officer of distinguished ability, with whom I have had such delightful personal and official intercourse.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES A. EKIN,
Bvt. Brig. Gen., in Charge First Division, Q. M. G. O.
No. 3.
Statement of claims (regular and miscellaneous) filed in the First Division of the Quartermaster-General's Office during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1865, ana from July 1, 1865, to October 20, 1865, showing the number paid, referred, and recommended for settlement, the number rejected and suspended, and the number not acted on, with their respective amounts.
N Number. C Paid, referred, and recommended for settlement.
A Amount. D Rejected and suspended.
B Claims filed. E Not acted on.
-------------B----------- ------------C---------- -----------D---------- -------------E-----------
Date. N A N A N A N A
From
July 1, 1864, to Dec. 31, 1864. 800 $248,472.60 694 $211,150.60 79 $15,272.00 27 $22,050.00
From Jan. 1, 1865, to June 30, 1865. 3,374 1,097,100.00 981 356,750.00 1,038 211,231.00 1,355 529,119.00
Total during the fiscal year 4,174 1,345,572.60 1,675 567,900.60 1,117 226,503.00 1,382 551,169.00
From July l, 1865, to Oct. 20, 1865. 3,781 1,357,486.00 210 74,514.00 31 11,047.00 3,540 1,271,925.00
Total 7,955 2,703,058.60 1,885 642,414.60 1,148 237,550.00 4,922 1,823,094.00
Many claims entered in the column of "rejected and suspended" have been rejected for want of evidence or accountability for the property, and may come before the department again; hence the impossibility of discriminating between "rejected" and "suspended."
Many of the claims entered in the column of "not acted on" are under investigation.
Respectfully submitted.
JAMES A. EKIN,
Bvt. Brig. Gen., in Charge First Division, Q. M. G. O.
Shows Bvt. Brig. General (Colonel non brevet) in charge on or about November 1964
The pass was written in another person's handwriting however the signature is that of James A. Ekin. The Post surrounded with the light swirls to create the "E" old fashioned "k" and the flourish 'n' to match and balance with the "E" flourish.
Congratulations on holding a piece of history - both in the world of Calligraphy and in Civil War history.
Respectfully submitted,
M. E. Wolf
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XX/2 [S# 30]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating Specially To Operations In Kentucky, Middle And East Tennessee, North Alabama, And Southwest Virginia From November 1, 1862, To January 20, 1863.
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#14
QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE
January 2, 1863.
Respectfully referred to the Secretary of War.
The Quartermaster. General has no authority to provide horses for mounting infantry. If mounted by authority of the War Department, it is presumed these troops would be transformed into cavalry. If authorized by the Secretary of War, the horses will be procured in the way pointed out by law and regulations, by public advertisement and contract with the lowest bidder. At Indianapolis contracts were thus made in November last, by
Capt. J. A. Ekin, assistant quartermaster, who has provided a large number of horses. The prices were, for cavalry horses, $96.25 and $96.75, and for artillery horses, $99. The bids fix the prices, and the specifications, if properly enforced, are sufficient, and the Quartermaster-General cannot recommend an increase of the price above that at which responsible parties offer to furnish the horses.
M. C. MEIGS,
Quartermaster-General
QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XX/2 [S# 30]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating Specially To Operations In Kentucky, Middle And East Tennessee, North Alabama, And Southwest Virginia From November 1, 1862, To January 20, 1863.
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#14
WAR DEPARTMENT,
QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, D.C., January 15, 1863--1.25 p.m.
General ROSECRANS, Murfreesborough:
It will take some time to get 8,000 horses, unless you can seize them in the field of your operations. There are 1,000 at Indianapolis, in charge of
Captain Ekin, which I order sent to Captain Jenkins for you. I also order
Captain Ekin to forward another thousand as soon as he can purchase them. Advise me of any further assistance desired from this office. Two thousand from Indianapolis, with what Captain Jenkins and Colonel Allen can procure, will probably meet your wants. Why do you not send your infantry in wagons for forced marches to intercept cavalry?
M. C. MEIGS,
Quartermaster- General.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXVII/3 [S# 45]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, And Department Of The East, From June 3 To August 3, 1863.
UNION CORRESPONDENCE. ETC.--#21
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington City, July 4, 1863--5.30 p.m.
Brigadier-General INGALLS,
Chief Quartermaster, Army of the Potomac:
GENERAL: To improve the victory, you will need, doubtless, many remounts. Stand on no ceremony, out, by purchase or impressment of all serviceable horses within range of your foraging parties, refit the artillery and cavalry in the best possible manner.
By order of the Secretary of War:
M. C. MEIGS,
Quartermaster-General.
(NOTE.--Orders sent to Colonel Crosman, Philadelphia; Lieutenant-Colonel Donaldson, Baltimore; Captain [William M.] McKim, Boston; Captain [George W.] Lee, Detroit; and
Captain [James A.] Ekin, Indianapolis, to forward horses immediately to the Army of the Potomac.)
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXIX/1 [S# 48]
SEPTEMBER 24-OCTOBER 3, 1863.--Transfer of the Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps from the Army of the Potomac to the Army of the Cumberland.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND., October 5, 1863.
(Received 12.30 p.m.)
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
Arrived at 8 a.m. Find tracks all connected, and cars side by side for transfer. Soldiers all gone forward. Balance of artillery, horses, and baggage will leave this point before noon to-morrow.
The only delay has been in marching men 1 mile to Soldiers' Home for hot coffee and rations. General Meigs has ordered purchase of horses here, and
I have authorized Colonel Ekin to ship them forward, and also all cattle for the army that may be here or arrive before your equipment reaches the point.
I leave for Louisville at 10 a.m.
THOMAS A. SCOTT,
Colonel, and Aide-de-Camp.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXX/4 [S# 53]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA, FROM AUGUST 11, 1863, TO OCTOBER 19, 1863.--UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.(*)--#10
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Chattanooga, October 10, 1863.
Colonel HODGES,
Nashville:
To meet wants of present cavalry operations and starvation of cavalry horses, I have ordered
Captain Ekin, at Indianapolis, to provide 1,000 cavalry and artillery horses, in addition to the 1,000 previously ordered, and to hold them until he learns that the road is open for them. Advise him where to ship and when.
M. C. MEIGS,
Quartermaster-General.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIII [S# 60]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM JANUARY 1 TO APRIL 30, 1864.--#29
CULPEPER, April 29, 1864.
(Received 2 p.m.)
Major-General HALLECK:
Send all the horses for the Army of the Potomac here instead of mounting men there. Horses are now worth more than men and horses.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.
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[Indorsement.]
Copy with orders to
Lieutenant-Colonel Ekin, April 29, 1864.
R. N. S.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIV/4 [S# 64]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STATES AND TERRITORIES, FROM MAY 23, 1864, TO JUNE 30, 1864.--#10
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 6, 1864-4.45 p.m.
Col. W. MYERS,
Saint Louis, Mo.:
The purchase of cavalry horses must be conducted under the Cavalry Bureau.
Colonel Ekin has gone West, to stimulate purchases if possible. In the mean time, General Steele must follow the enemy's example and take horses if necessary.
H. W. HALLECK,
Major-General, Chief of Staff.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIV/4 [S# 64]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STATES AND TERRITORIES, FROM MAY 23, 1864, TO JUNE 30, 1864.--#16
SAINT LOUIS, June 15, 1864.
(Received 12.30 p.m.)
Major-General HALLECK:
I have ordered cavalry horses purchased at Detroit, Chicago. Indianapolis, and Columbus to this point. Three thousand will be forwarded to Arkansas and Mississippi as rapidly as transportation can be furnished. General Hatch and Captain Coryell, assistant quartermaster, are acting efficiently and energetically. Will leave to-night for Cincinnati.
JAS. A. EKIN,
Lieutenant-Colonel.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVII/2 [S# 71]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING SPECIALLY TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, JULY 1 TO AUGUST 3, 1864.(*)--#4
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, D.C., July 7, 1864.
Colonel EKIN,
Cavalry Bureau:
All dismounted cavalry from Army of the Potomac are ordered to cavalry camp. Mount them as far as you can provide horses, and send quartermasters to General Wallace, with funds to pay for horses to be impressed and sent to the mouth of the Monocacy for remounts; also forges, &c., for shoeing some 3,000 or 4,000. Only loyal owners are to be paid, and not to exceed contract prices.
H. W. HALLECK,
Major-General and Chief of Staff.
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVII/2 [S# 71]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING SPECIALLY TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, JULY 1 TO AUGUST 3, 1864.(*)--#6
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, D.C., July 9, 1864--11.25 p.m.
Brig. Gen. W. W. MORRIS,
Baltimore.
All cavalry horses obtained in Baltimore and vicinity will be sent to cavalry camp in this city.
H. W. HALLECK,
Major-General and Chief of Staff.
(Copy furnished
Colonel Ekin, Cavalry Bureau.)
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O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVII/2 [S# 71]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING SPECIALLY TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, JULY 1 TO AUGUST 3, 1864.(*)--#20
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 28, 1864.
Colonel Ekin will send purchasers and inspectors to procure cavalry horses at Hagerstown and vicinity for General Hunter's command. It is important that this be done promptly, in order to supply General Hunter and get horses out of the way of rebel raids.
H. W. HALLECK,
Major-General and Chief of Staff.
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continued